Amniocentesis Is Key Topic in Story Entitled Why More Moms are Choosing to Bank Stem Cells

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In a recent article written by Danielle Sullivan for New York Metro Parents magazine, the story entitled Why More Moms are Choosing to Bank Stem Cells details the growing options in stem cell banking for women. The article outlines both cord blood and amniotic fluid as the source of stem cells - and describes why both services offer women a type of biological insurance policy for the future. As one Mom says in the article, “I feel as though I am just covering all the bases in case my child may need them in the future.”

This one mother’s decision cited in the story is just an example of how more and more women become increasingly comfortable with the idea of stem cell banking and are taking advantage of the role these cells might play in this growing area of medicine, the article says.

The article also quotes Dr. Hilary Smith,  a pediatrician at Pediatric Associates of Southern Westchester who notes that stem cells today can be used in the treatment of certain pediatric cancers. “For example, stem cells are implanted following high dose chemotherapy in the treatment of brain tumors. Stem cells from  cord blood can be used in acquired disorders of the bone marrow such as aplastic anemia (a condition in which all three cell lines in the bone marrow are affected), and in type 1 diabetes. Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer, and stems cells are usually considered contraindicated;  however, a sibling’s stem cells may be used,” she says.

The article underscores the importance and impact of companies like Biocell Center, the nation’s first and largest private tissue bank offering pregnant women the opportunity to preserve stem cells contained in the amniotic fluid during their genetic amniocentesis procedure.

Amniocentesis (also referred to as amnio) is a prenatal diagnostic test during which a small amount of amniotic fluid is collected from the abdomen of a pregnant woman via a thin needle for the purpose analyzing for chromosomal abnormalities and genetic disorders such as Down syndrome.

Amniotic fluid stem cells are non-embryonic stem cells with diverse potential.  Medical researchers demonstrated that these cells can be grown into a variety of tissues including bone, skin, cartilage, liver, kidney and cardiac muscle.  “Amniotic stem cells represent an important hope for the future of stem cell therapy,” said Professor Giuseppe Simoni, Biocell Center Scientific Director and Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Milan in a recent interview. “The stem cells contained in the fluid surrounding the fetus are very important and valuable. By preserving a child’s amniotic fluid stem cells, a mother, in effect, will insure that her child may benefit from such future medical discoveries, if needed.”

Other press releases from Biocell Center Corporation

• Fathers-to-Be Should Know More about Prenatal Genetic Testing and Amniocentesis - September 3rd, 2010
• Federal Ruling on Embryonic Stem Cell Research Underscores the Importance of Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells - August 27th, 2010
• Ten Things You Should Know About Prenatal Genetic Testing - August 19th, 2010
• First Human Clinical Trial of Embryonic Stem Cell-Based Therapy Gets Green Light from FDA - August 6th, 2010
• Arthritis and Stem Cells: What Expecting Moms Can Do During Genetic Amniocentesis - July 22nd, 2010
• Amniocentesis and Non-Embryonic Stem Cells Make List of Top Medical Breakthroughs; Biocell Center Banks on the Potential for Expectant Moms and their Children - July 21st, 2010
• Stem Cells and Amniocentesis: In 20 Years Will Stored Amniotic Fluid Stem Cell Banks Cater to a Specific Diagnosis - Like a Medical Pharmacy? - July 15th, 2010
• World Cup Soccer and Amniocentesis - What Does the Final Game Between the Netherlands and Spain Have To Do With a Medical Procedure? - July 9th, 2010
• Vatican newspaper calls amniotic fluid stem cells 'future of medicine' - June 30th, 2010
• Genetic Amniocentesis and the Hope for Future Stem Cell and Caridac Therapies - June 29th, 2010